When to go
The climate of the Philippines is tropical with an average year-round temperature of 32șC and water temperatures averaging at about 28șC. From March to May it is always hot and dry, the coolest from December till February, while June to September is considered the low season with more chance of rain and the occasional typhoon. However, Mindoro is a year round destination to visit and the chances of encountering "bad weather" are normally very slim.
Getting there
There are daily flights to Manila with a number of airlines via their respective hubs. The total flight time from London takes about 15 hours, excluding the connection time in the hub cities. At Manila airport you will be picked up by a resort representative and taken by car to Batangas on the south coast of Luzon, where a local boat will be waiting for you to take you directly to the El Galleon Beach Resort. The trip from Manila airport to the beach normally takes about three hours. Getting around
The most popular and cheapest way to get around the area on your own account is by Jeepney, which are the local busses. However, you will most likely only venture out of Puerto Galera for organised sightseeing tours, in which case the transport is organised by the resort.
Entry Requirements
For stays of up to 21 days, most European community nationals require a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of arrival, as well as a return ticket.
Local Airport Tax
The international departure tax is P750, payable at Manila airport.
Language
The national language is Filipino, which is based on the language of Tagalog, and there are at least one or two dialects spoken in every region. The Philippines is currently the third-largest English speaking country in the world and English is both spoken and understood throughout the country.
Money
The official currency is the Philippine Peso. Most foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorised foreign exchange dealers. Traveller's cheques are widely accepted, as are all major credit cards. However, outside of Manila and apart from credit cards, the Philippine Peso is the preferred and recommended form of payment.
Health
There are no vaccinations required to enter the Philippines. Even though the Philippines is a tropical country with some of the usual tropical diseases, it is unlikely that with a few basic precautions you will experience anymore than maybe jetlag, an upset stomach or a sunburn.
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